The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-06-08
The POCKET NERVE.
OUR SYSTEM OF LAWS IS CRITICISED
THE FARMERS ARE LECTURED.
Hon. F. A. COnnOr Writes Letter
which will Receive the Attention
OF Every Reader of the Press and
Ranner

Hon. F. A. COnnOr Writes a Letter
which will Receive the Attention
OF Every Reader of the Press and
Banner.
Editor Press and Banner: There Is consider
able restivenesS among the people on the SUD
iect OF taxation, as was Indicated ny lne
farmers movement OF last year. ! uon
mean 10 speak OF it MS deGd movement, though
II hus not exhibited much life for some
months past. No candid fair-mlnded man
can object TO combination on the part OF
farmers to better their condition by new
methods and by the reformation OF govern
mental abuses.
The objection to this farmers movement,
that they will mix politics with II. sail bosh.
For the object they have in view could not be
accomplished without having some political
phase. Politics is the science OF government,
and for the preservation of the safety, peace
and prosperity Of the State, and the protec.
ton OF its citizens in their rights; and If you
eliminate all politics you take the very life
out of the movement, and make 1t merely an
agricultural club. And what could such an
organization do towards reforming govern
mental abuses, if there be such.
There certainly has been depression enough
In their business of farming for the last few
years to arouse them to unity OF effort In find
Ing remedy; but they are unlike the pro-
fessions, In that they have never been known
to stick together long enough to accomplish
their object. 1t is possible for them to do so,
but will they do II? Judging the future by
the past fear not. 1t will take wise, prudent
leaders all over the State, and there certainly
ought to be intelligence enough among them
10 furnish such leaders. There are other
things TO engage their attention besides the
ordinary taxes levied to run the government.
So far as the State taxes are concerned, DO
not see how they can be materially lowered
without lowering the dignity of the govern.
Dient, and lessening the efficiency OF It's ad-
ministration. There are but few States In the
Union that levy as small a tax as South Car
ollna does This, then, is not the burden that
is bearing the people down and we must look
for It somewhere else. Natural causes OF
course have added TO our depression, but /
don't propose to suggest remedy for them.
The whole State tax Is less than five mills,
and yet 1t takes nearly rs much TO run the
government of Vaudeville county. There Is no
sense In this, and no necessity for 1t. The
county machinery is too cumbrous for such a
population as ours. 1t was the policy OF radi-
cal legislatures to create offices Tor their lead
ers II should be ours 10 lessen them for the
good OF the people. 1t Is not for me to draft
a county government more simple. more etfi-
clent, and less expensive than the present. l
merely wish to direct public attention TO 1t,
and every thoughtful man CAD suggest some
change.
into this subject might ask what Is the ne
cessity for Il Master In Equity, paid County
Commissioners, with so much power and so
little service, paid SuperintendentS of Educa-
tion, and a Jury Commissioner?
We don't seem to be as patriotic as before
the war. Citizens do not seem willing to
serve the public without puy, because 1t is
provided for them, and Of course they will
take it. Drop II, and you will find plenty OF
patriotic, public-spirited citizens who will
give small portion OF their time ior the
public good.
Another evil is, we have had too many law
yers In the Legislature to make laws for our
government, and to suborn their own inter-
ests. Is il not human nature for them to Keep
out OF sight their fees and commissions The
object suggestive of this communication Is To
bring to the attention of the people the sub
ject Of mortgages, and the expense OF their
foreclosure. / trust the lawyers and officials.
and printers will pardon Inc for telling the
people how severe tax IS oil this machinery
10 them. Let me say that the people who give
mortgages pay all the expense or foreclosure
If their property will do it, and any man who
mortgages tract OF land and su bnits to q
foreclosure, will pay in costs, in a single case,
more money than would pay his taxes to the
State for ten years. II people are obliged to
give mortgages l would advise them never To
give the old style mortgage that has to run
through the court machinery, for attorneys,
clerk, sheriff, master, all the printers In town,
and the auctioneer, are to have dig at IL be-
fore 1t can be gotten through. Use the Scotch
mortgage, or, as 1t Is sometimes called eight
ming mortgage" Will show the vast differ
ence in the expense of the two by all example
Of each kind which had foreclosed this year
One was OF the usual kind, and an order of
foreclosure was obtained from the Court with
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